A riveting book club novel of secrets, redemption, and unexpected connection. Perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Kristin Hannah, and Jojo Moyes.
Her father died in prison. She’s hidden her identity for most of her life. Until now.
Scarlett vowed she’d never step foot in Brackson prison again. Yet here she is, back in her hometown, dragging disgruntled dogs into the hell her father once called home.
The Pups in Prison rehabilitation program is her uncle’s passion, but his recent heart attack means he’s laid up and she’s filling in. She’s surrounded by inked necks and barbed wire…and awful memories she can’t shake. She knows she’s the reason her marriage is falling apart. She’s been running from that knowledge like she runs from the surname that links her to her father’s crimes.
She didn’t expect to find solace in an unexpected prisoner.
Emery is intense yet kind. Strangely intuitive. She shouldn’t look forward to their dog-training sessions, even if this alluring inmate shines a light on parts of herself she thought she hated.
But when she discovers why he was incarcerated and violence hits too close to home, Scarlett’s forced to face that forgiveness is more than spoken words and that coming undone is the first step to stitching yourself back together.
NOTE: See author website for a full list of possible triggers, which are also listed at the start of the novel.
Tasha Gold writes contemporary fiction that grips people by the heart and inspires in-depth conversation. She lives with her husband in the Canadian Rockies, where she skis, hikes, mountain bikes, and reads on her deck with a view of the majestic mountains.
When not writing and adventuring, she works as a freelance editor.
Scarlett Undone is her debut book club novel. She also writes contemporary romance and romantic comedies under an alternate pen name.
Tasha Gold has written a beautifully powerful and emotionally rich novel that completely captivated me. Scarlett Undone is heartbreaking, romantic, and deeply moving—a story filled with pain, healing, resilience, and hope. I absolutely devoured this book. It had all the feels and stayed with me long after I turned the final page.
What stood out most was how brilliantly the author explored Scarlett’s journey of finding her identity, embracing who she is, and learning to be proud of her Jewish heritage. The story carries such a powerful message about not being defined by our mistakes, but by how we rise from them. That theme was handled with so much depth and compassion.
I loved Scarlett as a main character—her strength, vulnerability, and capacity for forgiveness made her unforgettable. She is a woman who has endured so much, yet finds strength through her struggles, and watching her growth was incredibly inspiring. Her journey felt raw, authentic, and empowering.
The romance was tender and beautifully woven into the emotional heart of the story, while the heartbreak made the moments of hope shine even brighter. Tasha Gold writes with such warmth, sensitivity, and insight, creating characters and emotions that feel so real.
This is a stunning, thought-provoking novel about identity, redemption, forgiveness, and second chances. A truly memorable read that I wholeheartedly recommend
Publication Date: May 12th, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours, and author Tasha Gold for the copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
There is something really special about taking the time to find yourself and leaning into who you were always meant to be. There is such strength and beauty in that.
Past me related to Scarlett on many levels. Pretending to be someone you're not, just going through the motions. Changing who you are as a person to suit your environment, making yourself small.
Scarlett's journey of finding her identity and growing as an individual was inspiring.
There is depth to this story and not just in Scarlett finding herself. The secondary characters and the storyline are great too. Be prepared to feel a lot of emotions as it can be a heavy read at times throughout.
My thanks to the author herself for my gifted copy. I definitely recommend this one.
Wow! What a read! I loved the book so much, and the characters were incredibly well-written! I loved how the author explored various emotional and mental health topics throughout, especially related to identity and childhood trauma, both of which I can relate to. I very much appreciate that she wrote about topics which aren't talked about in society much because they deserve to be voiced.
I loved the development of each of the characters. It felt very natural and not at all forced. I could feel how they each struggled with their emotions and found ways to grow through them. The way relationships among characters were formed and how they grew was so wholesome.
This book made me reflect on my own life and my own struggles, and it made me realize that I'm not alone in that. It taught so many wonderful lessons, but the one I was left with was to never judge a person by what they did in their past. That's something I really needed to learn in this point of my life, and I'll be striving every day to apply it to my own life.
It's a wonderful read and definitely worth it if you're open to discovering things about yourself that need to change.
I absolutely loved this book. Great debut novel. Beautifully written. I felt so many emotions while reading the book. I am sure I will be thinking about it for a long time. I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone.
An emotional, powerful and beautiful story about a woman learning to accept her heritage, past and now future with her newfound identity and family, birthed and found. I loved watching Scarlette come into herself after loosing her life as a married woman to finding her new life with lost family and new friends. She truly grew into an amazing woman, friend and niece. I also loved seeing Emery grow too and learn to live with his past mistakes and make a better life for himself.
If you are looking for a book that pulls you in with its emotional depth in the first chapters, keeping you intrigued until the end. That leaves you thinking about this book long after turning the last pages, then this read is for you. I started this book and ended up reading the last 60% of the book in one night, staying up until I finished because I could not put it down.
From the very beginning I was hooked as Scarlett faces trauma in her present day life that forces her to look at the life she has built from traumatic events of her childhood, that shaped her into the adult she has become. As she returns to the home she spent the last part of her teenage years in, with a cantankerous uncle who is stubborn and set in his ways and the kennels full of dogs he has rescued. She starts to face her past and works to find herself, learning to embrace who she is and re-join her Jewish community she has shunned for years.
I loved seeing Scarlett on this journey throughout the pages of this book, her strength, emotional depth, vulnerability, grief and finding the strength for forgiveness. Seeing her character facing youth trauma’s, and the triggers she faces as she begins to work in the prison she swore she would never return to. The prison her father died in. Her uncle's way of helping her face her demons by getting her to volunteer with the Pups in Prison program he runs was what she needed but never thought she could face.
The character and relationship development with Emery, the intense prisoner whom she develops a friendship with became one of my favorite character relationships in this book. Emery helps her build trust in the Pups in Prison program and helps her to see the prisoners in a new light. But he has secrets of his own, trauma’s that he has to work through and face when he is released from prison. Secrets he fears will tear them apart before they can even get started.
The romance was soft and beautifully written, respecting each of the characters' development and journey. A slow building of emotions and a love that really pulls at those emotional heart strings.
Tasha’s writing style really seems to emphasize the emotional depth of each of the characters introduced. Reading their personal transformations you get to see this develop with each turn of a page. This book will likely appeal to readers who enjoy a strong character driven story that evokes powerful thought provoking moments with each character that feels so real you can’t help but think how you could relate.
Although I have received a free digital copy of this book from the author Tasha Gold in exchange for my honest review I have pre-ordered a paperback copy to add to my ever growing bookshelf knowing that this is a book I will read again. This is a truly memorable read that I will always recommend.
Scarlett has always vowed she will never set foot in Brackson prison again, but her failing marriage leads her back to her uncle’s home in her hometown. Her uncle, Arthur, runs the Pups in Prison rehabilitation program and Scarlett’s filling in after recent his heart attack. She never expected to find solace in a prisoner, yet Emery is kind and intuitive. Scarlett finds herself drawn to him in a way she never expected. When she discovers why he was incarcerated, she is forced to face that forgiveness is more than just words.
I can’t believe that this is Tasha’s debut novel! SCARLETT UNDONE is an incredibly powerful and emotionally packed read. Within the first few pages, I was invested in Scarlett and her story. The more I learned about her, the more I wanted to know. It’s a book I found myself thinking about even when I had no time to read it.
SCARLETT UNDONE is Scarlett’s journey through grief, loss, pain, resilience, healing, joy, and acceptance. It’s raw, authentic, and rich with emotion. The author did an excellent job at characterizing Scarlett’s pain and trauma from a young age and developing it with care as she works through her past and into her present. I also enjoyed her exploration of her cultural heritage and identity, with emphasis on community, forgiveness, and caring – this was so special.
The people Scarlett creates and deepens bonds with are nothing short of amazing. They’re each well-crafted and dynamic. I adored Arthur, Esther, Tavi, and Kenna to name a few. They each make an impact on Scarlett’s life in various ways, and it was wonderful seeing how their love and support helped Scarlett grow.
The romance that develops between Scarlett and Emery is tender and beautifully done. I loved how the author introduced this connection and how it was woven into the overall narrative, without taking away from the overarching themes of Scarlett’s journey. It also explores how we, as individuals, are not defined by our mistakes, but more-so how we rise from them.
SCARLETT UNDONE is a contemporary book club fiction with lots of food for thought and is sure to foster lots of discussions!
I would like to thank the author, Tasha Gold, for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you to BookFunnel and Tasha Gold for the advanced reader copy.
Scarlett’s life has dealt her many obstacles. The story opens and she’s recently miscarried. She is not coping well. Her marriage has created a rift. She has her own feelings of inadequacy, failure and complete devastation.
But the issues started long before. At her tenth birthday party, there is a police raid and her father is arrested, and later jailed as a Ponzi scheme mastermind. He would later die in jail.
Her mother succumbed to depression and ultimately abandoned her and she was left with her uncle, a dog trainer and sponsor with a prison outreach program. She spent her formative years helping at the kennel and hiding from her past. Bullied at school gave her the ambition to change her name and start anew.
Now at present day, she’s at a crossroads and the two lives collide — including an unexpected connection with a man from the prison outreach program, Kenna-approved and impossible to ignore.
Life has come full circle and she’s faced with dealing with everything she’s tried to separate herself from, her Jewish faith, her marriage to Daniel, her father’s shameful actions, and her miscarriage.
The remedy is within reach. She finds it inside the prison outreach program, the dog rescues, and conversations with Esther, an Auschwitz survivor in her nineties.
Finally with a clear mind and the support of her bestie, Kenna, she makes the decision to separate from Daniel and allows herself to start stitching herself back together.
Favorite quote: “The seams are the best place to come undone. It is where you do the hard work of stitching yourself back together.”
Gold writes with warmth and restraint, handling each of Scarlett’s wounds carefully without letting the narrative become heavy-handed.
Sensitive storylines are handled with care and compassion. This is a story of a broken woman who rebuilds herself. She learns the community of “we” and relearns how to love. This last part is essential since this may be the first time she’s allowed herself to be honest and to really feel love.
Ohhhhhhhhh this book! What a find! I absolutely loved this book for sooooo many reasons, namely because I was so captured by all the characters - and the dogs in the Pups in Prison scheme, of course!
Scarlett is devastated when, age 10, her father is arrested for huge fraud and ends up on a long jail term. Her comfortable life as she knows it comes to an abrupt end, and she is packed off to live with her Uncle because her Mum is battling PND and alcohol misuse. Now 30 years old, Scarlett finds herself reflecting on the person she forced herself to become during her teenage years due to the shame of her father’s famous crime. Unexpectedly, finding herself back on her Uncle Arthur’s farm ends up being the perfect place to find herself again.
I loved following Scarlett on this journey. This book has so many different relationships which all come under some kind of evaluation, which prove to be valuable, as Scarlett realises that her past shouldn’t define her and owning her story is a strength, not something to be disguised. This discovery runs parallel to her work at the same prison her father was in, helping inmates who, like her, are trying to move on in a positive way and not let their past be a burden to their future.
There are so many threads in this book that are full of wisdom. I loved how the different people in Scarlett’s life all have something to offer in their different ways, showing that letting people in can only lead to enriching your attitudes and decisions. I especially loved that even the animals in the book demonstrate these redeeming qualities too, as we see how much wisdom dogs can teach humans with their patience and forgiveness.
This book is perfect for readers who want a story of self discovery with a cast of pups and a wonderful mix of colourful characters. I totally adored Arthur and Esther, and can fully admit that I pictured Emery as Linc from Prison Break (which was very enjoyable)! This is a book I devoured, staying awake till 2am, fully invested with the cast - really hope there will be more books to follow.
Some books entertain you, and some quietly work their way into your heart, Scarlett Undone was definitely the latter for me. Tasha Gold’s debut novel is emotional, tender, and filled with so much heart.
At its core, this is a story about identity, forgiveness, family, and finding the courage to rebuild your life after everything you thought defined you falls away. Watching Scarlett slowly discover who she truly is, while learning to embrace both her past and her Jewish heritage, was incredibly moving.
I especially loved how thoughtfully this story explored healing and personal growth. Every relationship in the book felt meaningful, from family connections to friendships to the gentle, slow-burn romance that developed so naturally throughout the story.
The characters felt flawed, real, and deeply human, and the emotional depth in Tasha Gold’s writing made it impossible not to become invested in their journeys. There’s such a strong message here about second chances, self-acceptance, and allowing yourself to be loved.
This was a beautiful and memorable read that stayed with me long after I finished it, and I already know I’ll be recommending it.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to Lightning Source and Tasha Gold for my arc of Scarlett Undone. It was a truly captivating debut novel. Tasha Gold, you are a gifted writer, and I eagerly anticipate your next release.
Scarlett’s life shatters after losing her first child, but the truth is her marriage was built on lies and secrets from the start. When her uncle calls after a heart attack, she walks away and returns to the hometown she swore she’d never see again: the place of her father’s betrayal and murder, her uncle’s abandonment, and a mother lost to endless postpartum darkness.
In a town heavy with old scars, she lets her uncle back into her life. But everything shifts when she meets Emery through the prison program - a man whose past should have kept her away.
I can’t believe this is a debut novel. The story is captivating, Scarlett’s emotional journey is powerful, and her connection with Emery is unforgettable. The Pups in Prison program is beautifully woven in - rescuing dogs while healing the prisoners who train them. I loved this book so much I paused with only a few pages left because I didn’t want it to end.
Wow! Absolutely moving storyline. Tasha Gold’s writing style from present to past and back again flowed amazingly.
Scarlett’s life changed one day forever. A day that was supposed to be fun and filled with laughter turned her life upside down.
Scarlett ended up legally changing her name and leaving her past behind her. Literally. After suffering a loss she ends up returning to her uncles home where she spent her teenage years with to escape her current reality and to help her uncle get back on his feet. Little did she know that returning home would be a life changing experience for her. She finally figured out who she is and where she belongs.
If you’re a fan of second chances at both love and life this book is for you.
Thank you for this arc in return of my honest review.
Also…..really hoping for a second book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I really loved this book! It hits a lot of topics like loss, grief, growth and you can really see the progress Scarlett makes throughout the book. Watching her find ways to heal from her past felt very rewarding.
Let me call this the kind of read that touches you deeper than the deepest message about acknowledging everything in life, even when the word everything refers to a huge mess caused by someone connected to you rather than by yourself individually. Yes, acknowledgment first. Understanding and acceptance come later, once you reflect with a much clearer mind.
The story follows the life of Scarlett. She carries so much weight from things that don’t crumble because of her, but are still tied to her identity. Her family. Her tribe.
Mistakes from the past that aren’t hers, yet still leave her unhappy and unsettled.
At ten years old, Scarlett watches her father get arrested for massive fraud, only for him to later die in prison. And then come the social consequences that keep falling onto her shoulders. Again and again, Scarlett becomes the target of ridicule for a crime that was never hers. She gets bullied throughout her school years, targeted not only because she is the daughter of a Jewish villain, but also because she is Jewish herself. The trauma cuts so deep that all she wants is to run away from her identity completely.
With her present life already faltering, Scarlett chooses to leave her past unresolved. But building a new life through what she calls her “change my life manifesto” slowly backfires after nine years.
She is suddenly forced to return home and take over the pups in prison program after her uncle suffers a heart attack. And from there, Scarlett slowly begins stitching herself back together. Reclaiming her religion. Reconnecting with her community. Undoing years of hatred in ways readers truly should not miss.
And somehow… a strong unexpected connection forms. But the person Scarlett grows close to carries a secret tied too closely to her father’s death. With that truth in front of her, can Scarlett still walk herself toward forgiveness?
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This is the kind of eye-opening read that teaches you so much about self-discovery, healing, forgiveness, redemption, and second chances through all the characters.
Yes, Scarlett is the center of the story, but the book never makes her the only one experiencing transformation. And the beautiful thing is, the supporting characters never overpower her journey. Readers like me can still stay deeply connected to Scarlett’s world while also witnessing different emotional angles from everyone around her.
Every supporting character carries layers of growth that you really don’t want to miss.
There’s Arthur, Scarlett’s uncle, the man behind the pups in prison program who firmly believes prisoners deserve second chances through empowerment and responsibility. And the story wisely shows that Arthur didn’t gain that belief overnight. There’s a deeply life-changing moment behind the way he sees people, and readers get to slowly uncover it.
Then there’s Esther, a ninety-three-year-old neighbor who has lived through so much pain and life experience that nearly every conversation she has with Scarlett feels filled with wisdom and mature understanding.
And of course, there are the prisoners themselves, men who pour genuine love into caring for the dogs while carrying their own emotional wounds and personal struggles. Their presence slowly helps enlighten Scarlett’s perspective little by little.
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This book is honestly the real deal. It delivers every lesson and emotional value without ever sounding like a boring lecture. And the character development? So incredible that I genuinely lose words trying to comment on it properly.
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“These roots make us strong. If you grab hold of them, they will make you strong too.”
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“Only recently was I realizing changing my name and lying about so much had been weakness, not strength.”
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“Give us love, and we love back. Give us hate, and we’ll bare our teeth and bite. Human nature is a finicky beast.”
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“You can’t give a man a second chance if you’re worrying about how he ruined his first.”
Review by an ARC from the author Scarlett Undone is an emotionally charged debut that leans heavily into themes of guilt, identity, and the complicated path toward forgiveness. Positioned as a contemporary women’s fiction novel with strong book club appeal, it explores what it means to confront the past when it refuses to stay buried.
At the center of the story is Scarlett, a woman shaped—and in many ways haunted—by her father’s criminal legacy. His death in prison casts a long shadow over her life, influencing everything from her strained marriage to her instinct to run from anything resembling emotional vulnerability. When she returns to her hometown and reluctantly steps into her uncle’s prison-based dog rehabilitation program, she is forced into the very environment she has spent years avoiding.
This setup is one of the novel’s strongest elements. The prison setting isn’t just a backdrop—it’s symbolic. It reflects Scarlett’s internal imprisonment: her shame, denial, and unresolved trauma. The “Pups in Prison” program, meanwhile, offers a clear metaphor for rehabilitation and second chances, reinforcing the book’s central question: can people truly change, and can they be forgiven?
The emotional core of the novel lies in Scarlett’s connection with Emery, an inmate who defies her expectations. Their relationship introduces a quiet but compelling tension—part emotional intimacy, part moral conflict. Emery’s presence acts as a mirror, forcing Scarlett to confront the parts of herself she’s tried to suppress. This dynamic is likely to appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven stories with slow-building emotional stakes rather than plot-heavy twists.
Where the novel appears to shine is in its thematic ambition. It tackles difficult ideas—intergenerational trauma, accountability, and self-forgiveness—without offering easy answers. The notion that “coming undone is the first step to stitching yourself back together” encapsulates the book’s philosophy: healing is messy, nonlinear, and often painful.
However, this emotional intensity may also be a double-edged sword. Based on its premise and positioning as a “tearjerker,” the novel likely leans into heavy, sometimes melodramatic territory. Readers who prefer lighter or more plot-driven fiction might find the pacing slow or the introspection overwhelming. Additionally, the romantic element—particularly involving a prisoner—may raise ethical questions for some readers, depending on how it’s handled.
Stylistically, the book seems aligned with authors like Taylor Jenkins Reid or Kristin Hannah, emphasizing emotional depth and personal transformation over intricate plotting. This suggests a narrative voice that prioritizes inner conflict, relationships, and catharsis.
Final Verdict
Scarlett Undone is a promising debut that aims straight for the heart. It’s a story about confronting the truths we’d rather avoid and learning that forgiveness—especially self-forgiveness—is far more complicated than it sounds. While it may not appeal to everyone, readers who enjoy introspective, emotionally rich fiction will likely find it compelling and thought-provoking.
If you’re looking for a book that completely pulls you under and doesn’t let go, this book absolutely delivered that for me.
From the very beginning, I was hooked by the emotional depth and the raw, unfiltered way the story unfolds. This isn’t a light or easy read—it explores complex themes with honesty and intensity—but that’s exactly what made it so powerful. The character of Scarlett felt incredibly real to me, flawed yet deeply human, and I found myself fully invested in her journey. There were moments that genuinely made me pause and sit with what I’d just read, which doesn’t happen often.
The story follows Scarlett, a Jewish woman who has spent her adult life hiding and running away from her Jewish identity and her past. At the age of ten her world is turned upside down when her father (who she idolises) is arrested for fraud. Scarlett is left dealing with confusion, shame, and a loss of security, especially as the situation becomes known to others around her. It’s not just about the crime itself, but how it ripples into every part of her life—her relationships, her sense of identity, and how she sees the world.
Scarlett ends up going to live with her uncle on his farm and she becomes determined to build a life for herself in the future that involves becoming a completely different person.
I loved the themes explored in this book-identity, trauma, healing, and the complexities of family. It also handles the topic of motherhood and what that means for you as a woman if you decide you don't want to have children. The themes were handled with such honesty and care, and nothing ever felt surface-level. It’s the kind of book that really makes you reflect, not just on the characters but on your own perspectives too.
And the love story with Emery? I adored it. It felt so genuine and beautifully written, not rushed or overly idealised. There’s a quiet depth to their connection that made it even more meaningful, especially against the heavier backdrop of everything Scarlett is going through. It added a softness to the story that balanced the intensity perfectly.
What I loved most was how immersive the writing is. Tasha Gold has a way of drawing you into Scarlett’s world so vividly that you almost feel like you’re experiencing everything alongside her. The emotional tension builds so naturally, and by the end, I felt completely wrung out in the best possible way.
This is one of those books that lingers after you finish it—the kind you keep thinking about days later. I’d definitely recommend it if you enjoy emotionally driven stories that aren’t afraid to go deep and really make you feel. For a debut novel this is an incredible book and I'm very honoured to have received an advanced copy.
After main character, Scarlett (Ackerman/Ronson/Brooks) has a miscarriage, she starts down a path of rediscovery. She's been hiding her true self for so long I'm not sure she remembers who she really is. Revisiting the pain of her childhood including a mother who suffered from postpartum depression, a father who ended up being arrested and later murdered in prison, the loss of her best friend and community, etc... led Scarlett to decide to change who she was. In returning to the place she grew up, with her uncle who took her in and raised her, leads to her needing to stop hiding behind this fabricated persona and reclaim her true self.
Scarlett finds herself returning to the prison that stole her father, a place she swore she would never go again. She's there in her uncle's place as he suffered a heart attack and has been told her needs to rest. What starts out as a task she is forced to take on, her uncle's Pups in Prison program helps her reconnect with her past and find a path forward. She also meets Emery, one of the convicts who makes her feel safe, and encourages her to share pieces of herself that have been hidden for an age.
I found Gold's book to be quite moving. As a Jewish woman, I was able to relate to much of Scarlett's story. I loved how meeting Esther, a Holocaust survivor, helped her embrace her roots and acknowledge and reach out to her community. One of my favourite passages was said by her uncle: "These are your people. If you're ever in trouble or lost or scared, they will take you in. They will celebrate the good time with you and keep you afloat in the bad."
I try not to read the blurb before reading a book as I want to appreciate the story and the writing without external influence. I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. It was both captivating and engaging. I read it in a single day and felt somewhat of a loss when it came to an end. Scarlett's journey was one of pain, forgiveness, and healing, community and connection. Her character and her story were relatable, evoking compassion and understanding. One does not simply close the door on trauma; you have to move through it and come out the other side. Scarlett does so, finding not only herself, but also finding love.
I am keen to see what Gold releases next as I found her writing to be emotional and compelling.
I received this book as an arc read. I am so happy that I did. I did go into this book blindly without any expectations, it fit exactly what I needed. In this story, we are following our main character who has endured a recent life event that sent a ripple affect through her life as she knows it. And in a relatable way, like it is for many of us, when it rains it pours. Early in the book she receives some news about her Uncles health, and needs to do some reflecting on her fragile marriage. She takes a step away from her daily life as she knows it to go and help her Uncle on a farm where she had grown up. She encounters some fears and some unexpected friendships along the way and has a lot of reflecting and rebuilding her own life. Within the story, we have life’s troubles woven into trials,tribulations,and friendships along with a mutual love for animals. These are all things I find very relatable and always enjoy reading about. This book was well written. I did not find it to be overly predictable. What stood out to me most was how thoughtfully the book handled topics that feel uncommon in a lot of modern fiction. The writing felt immersive and emotionally intelligent, and the protagonist carried a complexity that made her easy to connect with. I also appreciated that the author revealed pieces of her past in a way that felt seamless, without disrupting the flow of the story through excessive timeline shifts. I thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the things I appreciated most about this book was how memorable the characters felt. They were written with enough depth and individuality that they continued to feel real even after I finished reading. I found myself still thinking about their choices, relationships, and personal struggles afterward, which to me is always a sign of a well-written story. The author created characters that felt emotionally authentic rather than simply serving the plot, and that made the book much more impactful overall.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and found myself getting pulled into the story very quickly once I had a few quiet days off to really settle into it. It was an engaging and memorable read that kept me interested from beginning to end, and I finished it much faster than I expected. I would absolutely recommend it to a friend, and I would definitely be interested in reading more from this author in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Scarlett Undone by Tasha Gold was a beautiful book exploring identity, past demons, and what it takes to face the future. Scarlett is a 30-year old woman suffering from a mix of feelings following a miscarriage and facing a lackluster marriage. In an effort to delay dealing with those situations and emotions, she flees to her uncle’s house—the man who raised her from 10 to 18 years of age, but who she hasn’t seen in 12 years. As she navigates the following days, weeks, and months, she encounters challenges to her Jewish identity, the memories of her troubled youth, works through multiple layers of grief, and decides what she wants—or doesn’t want—from her future.
Scarlett, as a character, is richly portrayed—a real woman struggling with expectations about who she should be and what life should look like. The supporting cast of characters is diverse and beautifully illustrates “found family” and how it can nurture the soul. The themes explored in the book are emotional and, again, very real, including unwanted pregnancy but also the grief of miscarriage, the struggle differentiating between faith and culture, family betrayal, childhood trauma and abandonment, pet death, and the desire for romantic love, but the acknowledgment that “happy ever after” isn’t always realistic in the moment.
The book is medium-paced, but very engaging. Despite having a romantic element, the book really focuses on Scarlett’s deconstruction of her identity and how she rebuilds every aspect of her life, while finding peace in herself and her situation. I particularly enjoyed how the author was able to flashback to memories at various points without it disrupting the flow and momentum of the story. Very well done.
I don’t recommend this book for folks looking for a steamy romance or a light-hearted romp. This is for readers seeking a redemption story, a sort of “come of age” for late bloomers, and those willing to endure some emotions to reach the happy ending.
Many thanks to the author for my #gifted copy of Scarlett Undone. I took this book on my vacation last month, but it has more depth than what many would consider a "beach read" - and I loved that about it! All opinions are my own. Protagonist Scarlett's father died in prison long ago, and Scarlett grew up with her uncle before leaving for college in Philadelphia. She has stayed in regular touch with him via phone, but she has also graduated, moved to NYC, and gotten married without returning to his small town. After he suffers a heart attack, Scarlett decides to spend a few weeks with him, as she needs to step away from her own life and husband. She finds herself helping her uncle's Pups in Prison rehab program, where an inmate is matched with a pup that needs training, and she ventures back to the prison where her father was killed, a place where she vowed never to return. Scarlett is a really interesting character, and I enjoyed reading about her journey to connect with parts of her history and heritage that she had chosen to ignore in an attempt to forget any connection to her father. Her work with the Pups program puts her in close contact with some of the inmates, and as she spends more time with one inmate in particular, she questions the connection she has with her husband. I love reading about the emotional journey that happens when a person is at a crossroads in their life, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to finish this book. The author also writes contemporary romance under a different name, and I really enjoy reading her writing -both when it makes me laugh and when it brings me close to tears, like with this read. I think this would make a great book club book, as there are some great discussions that can stem from these pages. Trigger warnings are posted on the author's website and included in the book, so readers can be aware of serious subject matter in the book which they might wish to avoid. I definitely recommend reading Scarlett Undone when it is available next week!
Scarlett Undone is a raw, emotional, and thought-provoking novel that tackles love, loss, grief, forgiveness, identity, and the complicated reality of morally grey people. It’s easy to see why this is being touted as a perfect book club read- there’s so much to unpack and discuss.
Scarlett herself is not who she presents herself to be. As a child, her world was shattered when her father was arrested for a Bernie Madoff-esque financial scandal. Unable to cope, her mother sent Scarlett away to live with her uncle, forcing her to grow up carrying both shame and abandonment.
Years later, Scarlett has built an entirely new life for herself- so much so that the man she's married to doesn't even know about her past. A series of events cause Scarlett to return to her uncle's home, where she participates in his pet training program for prisoners, taking her back to the prison that once housed her father. There she meets an enigmatic inmate, and starts to evaluate this new life she has created for herself.
I loved the difficult questions that this book wrestles with: Does one bad decision define an entire life? Can people be both deeply flawed and still deserving of love? To what extent do our past mistakes define us?
In an effort to distance herself from who she was, Scarlett has overcorrected in reinventing herself and erased her former self enitrely. Now, finally faced with the past she's never confronted, she's figuring out who she wants to be.
How Scarlett relates to her Jewishness was such an interesting piece for me. For her, being Jewish was tied to antisemitic comments made about her father (very Shylock-esque), so this was a piece of herself she left behind as well. I loved that Scarlett discovered a way to find her way back to a Judaism that best fit her. This piece was especially emotional for me.
This is an honest, compelling, and deeply human read that I absolutely devoured in one sitting.
Scarlett Undone is a moving, engaging novel perfect for book clubs. There is tough subject matter and so much emotion but heart and humor as well — a full journey as a woman confronts her traumatic past, her feelings about her marriage and her future, her heritage, motherhood, and so much more.
I almost don’t want to say much about the details of Scarlett’s journey because I want you to read this book and experience it for yourself. There is a lot here and I was impressed by how organically Scarlett’s story was written and revealed, the traumatic past she’s been running away from (to the extent that she has changed her name) intersecting with the current life she’s slowly seeing in a different light bit by bit. This is beautifully written in a way that puts you right there with Scarlett.
I felt like I was with her, an invisible friend or a fly on the wall. (There is difficult subject matter so use caution; please check the author’s website or DM me for content warnings if you’re concerned.) Scarlett truly goes through an examination of her life and her identity. Without giving any spoilers, don’t worry. Good things happen to Scarlett, too!
Scarlett’s uncle Arthur runs the Pups in Prison rehabilitation program, pairing difficult dogs with prisoners for training. This program plays a large part in the story, which is a strong point. These sections provide a great vehicle for a number of story arcs as well as character development. Plus, dogs. :)
Strongly written characters are another strength of this excellent debut novel. They all feel like real people.
If you like an emotional story, please put Scarlett Undone on your radar.
My personal rating: 4.5 stars
I received an early copy of this book from the author for free and I'm leaving my review voluntarily. All views are my own.
**Thank you to the author & the Book Lovers group for this ARC!!**
Scarlett Undone by Tasha Gold earned a solid 4.5 stars from me, and it was such an enjoyable read from start to finish. One of the things I liked most about this book was that I wasn’t always sure exactly where it was going. While there were definitely some parts I saw coming, there were also enough twists along the way to keep me interested and wanting to keep reading.
What stood out most to me was the book’s strong theme of second chances. I loved how that idea showed up in so many different ways — through animals, criminals in prison, families, and relationships. Second chances are so important in life, and this book really captured that in a way that felt meaningful to me. It also made me reflect on my own life. I really admired Scarlett for wanting to be financially independent and build a life where she didn’t have to rely on others, because that is something I relate to a lot.
The characters were another highlight for me. Besides Scarlett, I really liked Kenna, Arthur, and Emery. They all added something to the story and made it easy to stay invested in what was happening. The pacing was just right, too. I never felt bored, and I definitely didn’t want to put the book down.
The ending was perfect in my opinion. It wrapped up exactly how it should have, and I loved that it still managed to surprise me a little. Overall, Scarlett Undone is a book I would definitely recommend. It would be a great choice for a book club, for someone traveling who wants a book they can’t put down, or for anyone who enjoys fiction with strong characters and a good message. I’m looking forward to following this author to read more of her books!
Thanks to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the advanced reader copy.
After Scarlett has a miscarriage she starts to realize that the perfect marriage that she thought would make her happy (and forget about her traumatic past) was only making her feel lonelier. So when her uncle Arthur, the man who raised her, calls to say that he had a heart attack, she uses the excuse to go back to the small town where she grew up and reevaluate her life. What she finds are questions about her past, a renewed sense of purpose, and a connection with one of the inmates who participates in Arthur's Pups and Prisoners program. When Scarlett's budding relationship with Emery, the inmate, is threatened by their connected pasts, she must confront who she wants to be and what she wants for her life.
Content Warning: death of animals
I felt slowly drawn into Scarlett's world by Tasha Gold's writing and the character development of the main character. Scarlett is an enigma to those around her, showing them only what she thinks they want from her (including her husband), but her interiority is riddled with uncertainty and pain. The relationship with Emery felt realistic, especially between two people who are so scarred by their past choices. I probably would've given this book five stars if it wasn't for the unexpected animal death in the last quarter of the book. Everyone probably has a thing they can't handle in reading and harm to animals is mine. Otherwise, this is a smartly rendered book with sharp writing.
This book asks, what if we built our lives on decisions and carefully crafted plans that were not authentic to who we really are. Building our life just one small (innocent) lie at a time. What does self betrayal look like? And what happens when it all comes undone? That was enough to hook me.
I liked the characters and character growth. I found myself wanting to pick this book up and see how things turn out. There is a particular romance that buds. I think the idea of it was a bit hard for me to get on board with at first, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to see the story unfold.
It was refreshing reading about something new to me- prison pup program. Prisoners involved in Rehabilitating dogs that also need a second chance. I really enjoyed this part of the story!
If you like a late coming of age (her childhood and self identity were halted due to trauma), this is a good one. Also for those who like a forgiveness and redemption themes. These themes can be tricky (that’s a me thing). It has to feel real for me. Can’t be too easy. This book mostly got it, but maybe too easy. Easy to read, but I thought there were some unnecessary details in the writing, some details were drawn out or repeated. Just one star off for those things.
Full of good, and even controversial messages, which are perfect for a book club.
Thank you to the author for a gifted copy and NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the eARC.
I loved this book. It was very emotionally mature writing, a spectrum of very complex emotions shared in a way that it invoked all my perceptive senses to totally get immersed in the story that took me on a ride into the protagonist’s complicated past, her current reservations, and her constant fear that her past will paint her future. The characters are layered, and I liked them at times and at other times I found myself questioning their choices, which of course made me more invested in them. I believe the story is balanced for its love theme to stay central while so much upheaval is happening; it sort of reassures one that if one can hang on to believing in getting past everything to stay true to it, it’s possible to reach unexpected outcomes and joy in life. Tasha seems to be emotionally sensitive as an author, as each layer of Emily’s past is intertwined with her present situation, and she makes sure as she unpeeled it, she carefully constructs a new reality for her in the present. I was engaged throughout and thoroughly enjoyed the story. I don’t want to include any spoilers, so leaving it at that. I particularly enjoyed the chemistry and slow building of trust between the central characters.
I received a free copy from the author to read, and I am leaving this review of my own free will.
Scarlett is in a place in her life where she is questioning her happiness. She has spent most of her life hiding from her past and has lost herself along the way. When her uncle has a heart attack she goes back to his farm to help out. Her path leads her to the prison where her father died via her uncle's Pups in Prison program. The new people she meets force her to confront her past and decide on her future.
This was a solid 3.5 stars for me. I read it quickly and was engaged throughout but felt it just didn't click 100% for me. It had an interesting story line - the Pups in Prison aspect especially. The side characters all added to the story and it was a fast and engaging read. However, I felt like there were a LOT of things stuffed into this book (plot points, themes, religion, family, traumas) and it just wasn't long enough to develop them all to the level they deserved. For me, it all ended up feeling a little rushed.
However, I think this is a solid read and would be great for book clubs as well as those looking for a book that touches on multiple genres (you get suspense, romance, womens lit, etc).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an adavance copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
Tasha Gold is a beautiful writer and I found myself reaching for this book a lot. It’s the kind of story that stays with you and really gives you pause for thought. Can someone turn this into a movie please? 🙏 Thank you 😆
This is the story of Scarlett, who’s been hiding the truth about her past from everyone, including her husband. She’s completely hidden her Jewish faith. She’s hidden the truth about her father’s incarceration. And she’s been hiding her true feelings about motherhood. This is a woman who has not been true to herself for a long time and it’s quite heartbreaking.
Now, with her relationship in tatters, Scarlett finds herself leaving New York and returning to her hometown. Slowly, she tries to rebuild her self worth through the help of her uncle’s dog rehabilitation program and her unlikely bond with a prisoner. 🐶 (the dogs are just beautiful. Twinkie! ❤️)
I really loved this story and connected with Scarlett immediately. I just wanted to see her succeed and have pride in herself. There is also a beautiful self deprecating humour that warmed me to Scarlett even more. She knows she needs to make a change but it’s not that easy.
Thank you so much for sending me a copy!! I feel SO lucky that I got to read this early.
What a beautiful journey that was. I fell in love with these characters quickly and easily. I could also sense that the author put a lot of herself into the writing, which increased the enjoyment. I loved to see Scarlett softening and opening her heart bit by bit. She thought the prisoners softened like the rescue pups, but I don't think she realized that she also went on a parallel journey with them (at least, not at first). The addition of all the "side characters" and their unconditional love and acceptance for her really helped her to emerge from her shell in the most beautiful ways. I felt like I was right there with her along the way. I could easily see this being turned into a movie. It's a story that deserves to be shared with a large audience. The plot moved along at a perfect pace. It never felt slow or rushed. I enjoyed this book tremendously and found it difficult to put down. I'm not super happy about the dogs dying, of course. Having a content warning would be appreciated when the book gets printed. Even still, I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I enjoyed Scarlett Undone. The story follows Scarlett, a young woman dealing with problems in her marriage who returns home after her uncle suffers a heart attack. While helping him recover and trying to sort through her own life, she is forced to face painful memories from her past, including her father’s imprisonment and murder. Her uncle also runs a prison program for selected inmates, and Scarlett never expects to develop feelings for one of the prisoners involved. That relationship adds a lot of tension to the story and raises questions about family, trust, and forgiveness. Overall, I thought the storyline was interesting and easy to get invested in. The characters were likeable and I enjoyed seeing Scarlett work through everything she was dealing with. The pacing was good for the most part and it kept me wanting to know what would happen next. I’d give it 3/5 stars. One thing I do think readers should know beforehand is that dogs do die in this book. Details are after their deaths and there aren’t a lot of graphic details, but it could still be upsetting or triggering for some people. Received ARC from author